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Clemson hopes to rebound from season-opening loss

Sep 6, 2008 - 11:43 AM The Citadel (1-0) at No. 22 Clemson (0-1), 3:30 pm EDT

CLEMSON, South Carolina (Ticker) -- Clemson may have been guilty of reading its own press clippings. Picked as the favorite in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Tigers opened their season with a thud, suffering a 34-10 loss to the Alabama.

The defeat dropped Clemson 13 spots to 22nd, but it should have an easier time this Saturday when it hosts The Citadel of the Football Championship Subdivision.

Since it was a non-conference game, the loss to Alabama does not affect the Tigers' (0-1) status in the ACC. Still, it was a disappointing way to start of a season of high expectations.

It also could put some heat back on coach Tommy Bowden, who is still chasing his elusive first ACC title in his 10th season at Clemson. The Tigers' last conference crown came in 1991.

Alabama limited Clemson's talented backfield tandem of James Davis and C.J. Spiller - nicknamed "Thunder and Lightning" - to a combined 20 yards. Overall, the Tigers rushed for a net of zero yards.

Clemson finished with 188 total yards, more than 200 below last season's average of 403 per game.

The Tigers will look to take out their frustrations on The Citadel before beginning conference play on September 13 against North Carolina State.

The Citadel (1-0) steps up in competition after opening with a 54-7 rout of Webber International, an NAIA school.